Rex Brothers, Barnes Optioned; Ynoa, Betancourt Are In

Sep 26, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Rafael Ynoa (43) tries to throw to first base against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 6th inning during the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Sign all the Rafaels!

The Opening Day picture is becoming a little more clear by the minute, and it directly involves Rex Brothers, who has been optioned to the minor leagues.

Thomas Harding of MLB.com has the scoop on some major Rockies roster moves:

Barnes, who’s working on a new leg kick, must not have impressed the club enough this spring and will start in AAA. That could also be a product of simply running out of space for outfield depth and Barnes was the odd man out, but he’ll probably be back with the club at some point this summer.

Ynoa, who we’ve been high on, has been told he will made the Opening Day roster. That’s awesome. He’ll do well as a backup infielder. Let’s start the fan club!

Betancourt has also been added to the roster, and that’s good, too. He earned it, and he’ll be at least a decent bullpen arm after working back from surgery and having a solid spring.

The real story here, though, is Rex Brothers.

With options remaining and the ability to send him to AAA considering the Rockies will carry two other left-handed relievers in Boone Logan and Christian Friedrich, Brothers has been sent to Albuquerque to start the season (presumably, though I suppose a lot can happen in the next few days).

Bullpens are fickle things, especially in Colorado, though. Surely, Brothers will be back soon enough.

And if he can be as dominant as he’s been in the past, well, he’ll be back quickly and will work well for the Rockies at some point this summer.

That point, though, will not be Opening Day and his spot has been taken as he struggled to end the spring.

What do you think about the Rockies sending Brothers to AAA?